Sorceress Prime, Emma Bannon, has done many things in service of Queen and Country, and willingly. Her latest mission to track down a missing doctor puts her in the path of a deadly contagion - the Red plague. Mentath Archibald Clare is perhaps the only person capable of helping her find the doctor in time. But asking Clare, and Valentinelli his assassin servant, to assist in the chase risks exposing them to the Red. And Clare does not have the sorcerous advantages that Emma possesses.

In a race against time to save the city of Londinium, Bannon and Clare have to turn to some most unlikely allies in order to halt the progress of the plague.

Saintcrow's alternate London comes alive once again in the second instalment of her Bannon and Clare series. As colourful and foetid as ever, Londinium is a fascinating - if disgusting - backdrop to a chilling mystery. Vividly imagined, the city and its clockwork and sorcery feel so real, you can almost smell it.

Bannon and Clare's 'opposites attract' friendship grows and develops, both coming to admit it is actually a friendship, rather than just mutual respect for the other's capabilities. The two playing off each other is entertaining, and the more I get to know the characters, the more time I want to spend in their company, so long may the series continue.

There are enough tantalising hints of wider issues and dark secrets to more than sustain another book or two, and if the individual mysteries continue to pack as many twists and turns in as this one, then this series could potentially be elevated to one of my all time favourites.

Fabulous writing, setting, characters and an excellent plot to boot, this is fast paced, page turning steam punk at its very best. Highly recommended.